Southeast Asia - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 291

trEks and hikEs

Southeast Asia offers some wonderful treks, spending days walking through dense
rainforests, spotting spectacular wildlife, learning about the cultures of the many different
tribes who live in the remoter areas, and often staying with them in their homes and
sharing their meals. The following ten treks are highly recommended, and also ensure that
any communities visited benefit from your presence.

of the highlights of Bangkok, making it ideal for
those on limited time. The walking is only three
or so hours each day through thick forest, which
leaves you plenty of time to explore the villages
where you'll stop off for the night.
W www.intrepidtravel.com.

385 Khammouane Ecoguides, Laos
Escorted by a guide from the local community,
this two-day journey in Phou Hin Poun explores
some of the vast caves and churning rapids for
which this area of forested limestone hills is
famous. Bring your torch, as the biggest cave
- the stalactite-filled Kong Lor - is 7km long.
W www.ecotourismlaos.com/khammouane.htm.

386 Pooh Eco Treks, Thailand
Setting off from Chiang Mai, your guides Mr
Pooh and his Karen associate Mr Tee will lead
you with flaming torches deep into bat-filled
caves and help you get the most of a stay with
Karen villagers whom they have known for
twenty years. By the end of your trek, they will
also have taught you how to forage for food in
the jungle. W www.pooh-ecotrekking.com.

Walking through paddy fields on
an Intrepid Trek, Thailand

383 Charity Challenge, Vietnam
This challenging hike through the hills of
northern Vietnam takes you between villages of
Black H'mong, Red Dao and Tay minorities, with
some nights spent in the homes of tribes and
others camping. You have to raise a minimum
sponsorship before you go, but because everyone
is doing it for the charity of their choice, it
creates a real bond among the group, with
everyone supporting each other to achieve their
aims. W www.charitychallenge.com.

387 Hill Tribe Tours, Thailand
Run by an NGO based in Chiang Rai, the focus
of these trips is more on cultural exchange
than physical endurance. As you walk only a
couple of hours a day, most of your time is spent
experiencing the rhythms of daily life with
members of the Lahu, Akha and Karen tribes
- perhaps preparing meals on the bamboo floor
of your host's home, helping in the fields or
volunteering in the local school.
W www.mirrorartgroup.org.

384 Intrepid Travel, Thailand
This three-day trek, visiting the hospitable
Karen people who live in the hills around
Chiang Mai, forms the middle part of a week-
long trip starting and ending with visits to some